Get to know Meghan Markle’s inner circle

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August 24, 2017

Her mother, Doria Ragland

Being thrust into stardom, and now into the royal limelight as Prince Harry’s girlfriend, can’t be easy. Luckily, Meghan’s mom is a yoga instructor (a social worker, too) and they are incredibly close—they even go to yoga classes together!

Meghan has named her mom as one of the 10 people who have had the greatest impact on her life, and they’re clearly inseparable. The affectionate mother-daughter duo even walk the red carpet together.

Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka and Meghan met two years ago at a party, and it seems like the two have been close ever since. The Quantico star is a frequent face on both Meghan’s Instagram account and her now-defunct blog, The Tig.

The two were spotted dining with Soho House consultant Markus Anderson in New York last summer, and later in the fall catching a Broadway show together in the city.

And Priyanka is Meghan’s biggest cheerleader – she wants everyone to know that Meghan holds her own and is not just Prince Harry’s girlfriend.

Jessica Mulroney

Meghan’s BFF is the daughter-in-law of former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and a well-known Toronto personality and philanthropist. The pair first met years ago when the actress moved to Canada to start filming her hit legal series Suits.

Their friendship is also rooted in fashion. Jessica has reportedly been Meghan’s stylist since 2014, and the duo have since collaborated on many of the star’s most chic and sophisticated ensembles. When they’re not busy shopping up a storm in Toronto’s posh Yorkville area, Meghan and Jessica are documenting their luxurious girls’ getaways on social media.

Serena Williams

Perhaps an even better match than Serena’s Grand Slam victories is her friendship with Meghan! The pair first became close in February 2014 when they played a game of flag football together at DIRECTV’s Celebrity Beach Bowl. Apparently, they hit it off immediately and were taking selfies and gabbing about girly things the entire time.

They’ve been seen together everywhere, from Serena’s tennis matches to casual dinners out in Toronto. About the 35-year-old tennis pro, Meghan once said, “We're both the same age, have a penchant for hot sauces and adore fashion, but what connects us more than those things is perhaps our belief in exceeding expectations – our endless ambition.”

The world can also expect to see Meghan (perhaps with Prince Harry as her plus-one!) at Serena’s upcoming wedding to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.

Sarah Rafferty

Nothing is more inspiring than an on-screen friendship so genuine it seems real—and in the case of Meghan and Sarah, life really does imitate art! The actresses play close friends and confidantes on Suits as they live through the up-and-down dramas of a life in law, and their real-life camaraderie shines through, too.

Sarah and Meghan – along with fellow cast members – recently celebrated the show’s 100th episode with cake and champagne ahead of the show’s season seven premiere.

Misha Nonoo

Being best friends with a fashion designer certainly has its perks. And Meghan rocks BFF Misha’s designs all the time! At the Suits 100th episode viewing party in July, the 36-year-old Californian donned Misha’s multi-coloured Audrey pleated mini skirt, which is listed at $611 on lyst.com.

Rumour has it that it was Misha who introduced Meghan to her beau Prince Harry. The 30-year-old designer was once married to Alexander Gilkes, a New York based businessman and Eton College alum. Not only did Alexander attend school with Harry and his older brother Prince William, he also owns the auction house where Princess Eugenie worked for two years.

Markus Anderson

Perhaps one of Meghan’s most important friendships is with Markus, who has been credited with introducing the actress to her prince charming.

Meghan and Markus, a consultant for Soho House Group, have been spotted together all over the globe, but mostly in Toronto, where they spend their time hanging out at Meghan’s lavish home with her puppies or out and about, high-end dining in the city. And given his ties to one of the world’s most exclusive chains of private members’ clubs, Markus can hook Meghan and Harry up with the ultimate low-key date-night destination.

Roland Mouret

He’s no stranger to dressing royalty—and now, perhaps, future royalty! Meghan and Roland looked to be getting along swimmingly at his private dinner at Corkin Gallery in Toronto in spring 2016. His sophisticated, chic style meshes well with Meghan’s sexy, yet understated aesthetic. While they got to know each other at the dinner, Roland reportedly offered to dress her, and the two have been a fashion match made in heaven ever since.

Meghan Markle may live in the public eye, but when it comes to her life off-screen, the actress is fiercely private and protective of her family and friends. Prince Harry's girlfriend has a close group of confidants who have been by her side during her rise following her breakout role in Suits.

Now that she's dating one of the world's most famous faces, the California girl will be leaning on her friends more than ever. Here are just a few members of Meghan's inner circle .... -- By Meaghan Wray